Lexus GS300 2019 Owner's Manual

201
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also does
not recommend the installation of a tow
hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier
for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

202
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

203
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch
Press the parking brake switch to check that the parking brake is set.
(
P. 217)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message (GS F only) will be disp layed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, th e engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the engine switch, one
short, firm press is enough.
It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or for
up to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Performing the following operations wh en carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4

204
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (
P. 217), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-informa-
tion display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the en gine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
“POWER ON” will not be displayed on
the multi-information display.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine, the engine
switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4

GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)
2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is disp layed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on th e multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the engine
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of ti me when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 140
■Conditions affe cting operation
 P. 158
■Notes for the entry function
P. 159
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (P. 77)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to St art” will be displayed on the multi-information
display.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
1
2
3
4

206
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from over
heating, the motor may be suspended if the
engine is turned on and off re peatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from
operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume func-
tioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 412
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change
or the engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
 P. 504
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until
the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, re sulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. ( P. 427)
However, do not touch the engi ne switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)
2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi- information display, the engine switch is
not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is
stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY
mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

208
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises
, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P. 211)

GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)
2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 281
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
*1: Except F SPORT models of GS350/ GS300, and GS F
*2: F SPORT models of GS350/GS300
Selecting the driving mode
*1
*2

210
GS350_300_OM_OM30G96U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle shift
switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is oper
ated, the shift range will be downshifted
to a range that enables engine braking forc e that is suitable to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be one gear
upper than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
Changing the shift range allows restrict ion of the highest shift gear, preventing
unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be
selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
6-speed models: The selected shift range, from D1 to D6, will be displayed in the
meter.
8-speed models: The selected shift range, from D1 to D8, will be displayed in the
meter.
To return to normal D position driving, th e “+” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
GS350/GS300GS F
1
2
Meter display
Function6-speed models8-speed models
D2 - D6D2 - D8
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is
automatically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the gear at 1